Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Mollie S. H. Friedlander, Vy M. Nguyen, Seung K. Kim, Romina J. Bevacqua
Summary: Recent studies have focused on understanding human islet biology, with advances in isolated human islet research providing insights into the development and function of islet cells. By dispersing and reaggregating islet cells to form pseudoislets, specific experimental approaches have been facilitated, leading to exciting new discoveries in genetics, genomics, and islet cell transplantation. The use of pseudoislets is contributing to significant progress in the study of islet biology, diabetes, and metabolism.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Irene Sargiannidou, Violetta Christophidou-Anastasiadou, Andreas Hadjisavvas, George A. Tanteles, Kleopas A. Kleopa
Summary: Oculodentodigital dysplasia syndrome is linked to pathogenic variants in GJA1 gene. A new in-frame deletion (p.Lys134del) was identified in a patient with typical dysmorphic features. Functional study showed reduction in gap junction plaques in cells, with many retained inside.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Azeem Danish, Robin Gedschold, Sonja Hinz, Anke C. Schiedel, Dominik Thimm, Peter Bedner, Christian Steinhauser, Christa E. Mueller
Summary: Connexin gap junctions (Cx GJs) play a crucial role in cell-to-cell communication by allowing small molecules and ions to pass between cells. Dysfunction of Cx GJs is linked to diseases, and identifying modulators of Cx GJs may lead to new therapeutic drugs. This study established a novel assay using recombinant HeLa cells expressing Cx43 to screen for GJ modulators, showing potential for high-throughput screening.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
E. Anne Martin, Jennifer Carlisle Michel, Jane S. Kissinger, Fabio A. Echeverry, Ya-Ping Lin, John O'Brien, Alberto E. Pereda, Adam C. Miller
Summary: The subcellular positioning and molecular compositions of synapses are crucial for neural circuits. This study investigates the localization of the autism- and epilepsy-associated gene Neurobeachin, the Connexins, and the electrical synapse scaffold ZO1. It is found that Neurobeachin localizes to the electrical synapse independently, and its presence is necessary for the localization of ZO1 and Connexins. This research provides new insights into the molecular complexity and mechanisms of electrical synapse formation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mauricio Serrano-Rubi, Lidia Jimenez, Jacqueline Martinez-Rendon, Marcelino Cereijido, Arturo Ponce
Summary: Gap junctional intercellular communication is reduced in cancer cells compared to normal cells, but the plant-derived substance ouabain enhances this communication in various cancer cell lines through signaling mechanisms involving Csrc, ErK1/2, and ROCK-Rho. This finding suggests a potential therapeutic strategy for influencing cancer progression.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ting Zhang, James Zhenggui Tang, Xiaofan Fei, Yanping Li, Yi Song, Zhiyong Qian, Qiang Peng
Summary: Insulin therapy is crucial for treating diabetes, but the inconvenience and low patient compliance from frequent injections are limitations. Efforts have been made to improve insulin delivery, including developing nanoparticle-based release systems. Studies on nano-protein interactions for developing advanced drug delivery systems are ongoing.
ACTA PHARMACEUTICA SINICA B
(2021)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Riccardo Serra, J. Marc Simard
Summary: This article reviews 45 research articles on intercellular junctions in the ependyma, indicating the important role of ependymal lining ultrastructure in fluid flow interactions in the brain. These findings have implications for understanding and treating CSF-related disorders.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Qida Zong, Rong Zhou, Zhining Zhao, Yan Wang, Cheng Liu, Peng Zhang
Summary: In this study, a simplified method for the preparation of insulin microneedle patch with rapid and controlled drug release was developed using phenylboronic acid modified methacrylate hyaluronic acid as the drug carrier. This approach offers a direction for simplifying the concept of controlled-release insulin microneedle patch and facilitating production.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Agata Zappala, Ivana Roberta Romano, Floriana D'Angeli, Giuseppe Musumeci, Debora Lo Furno, Rosario Giuffrida, Giuliana Mannino
Summary: Gap junctions (GJs) formed by connexins (Cxs) are important for intercellular communication in skeletal tissues. The most expressed connexin, Cx43, plays a role in the formation of GJs and hemichannels (HCs) in bone cells. Through GJs, osteocytes in deep lacunae can form a functional syncytium with neighboring osteocytes and bone cells at the bone surface, allowing coordinated cell activity through the propagation of signals. Cxs and GJs have a fundamental role in skeletal development and cartilage functions, and understanding their mechanisms may contribute to therapeutic approaches for skeletal disorders.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tania Martins-Marques, Antonio Rodriguez-Sinovas, Henrique Girao
Summary: Well-balanced intercellular communication in the heart is crucial for cardiac homeostasis, but accumulation of ROS during reperfusion can lead to oxidative damage and cardiomyocyte death, known as myocardial reperfusion injury. ROS signaling also regulates cell-cell communication, impacting the development of cardiac diseases.
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jennifer Ortiz, Yuriy Bobkov, Melissa B. DeBiasse, Dorothy G. Mitchell, Allison Edgar, Mark Q. Martindale, Anthony G. Moss, Leslie S. Babonis, Joseph F. Ryan
Summary: This article investigates the innexin gene in four species of ctenophores and finds that these genes have evolved independently from those of other animals and were established early in the evolution of ctenophores. The study also shows that ctenophores have functional innexin hemichannels that are closely related to those of other animals. Overall, the results suggest that the last common ancestor of animals had channels capable of forming both gap junctions and innexin hemichannels, and that innexin genes have independently evolved in major lineages throughout Metazoa.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Lina T. Al Kury, Stephanie Chacar, Eman Alefishat, Ali A. Khraibi, Moni Nader
Summary: Diabetes mellitus affects the structure and function of sinoatrial node cells, leading to heart rate variability and cardiomyopathy. The decreased expression of ion transporters and cell-cell communication ports, as well as the abnormal activation of regulatory factors such as RGS4, mitochondrial thioredoxin-2, and CaMKII, contribute to these changes.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michael Levin
Summary: Understanding cancer through the lens of developmental biology reveals it as a consequence of breakdown in cell communication, leading to morphogenetic disorders. Bioelectric signaling plays a crucial role in coordinating morphogenetic processes, with modulation of bioelectric states showing potential in preventing or normalizing tumors. The harnessing of bioelectrically-mediated information flows represents a promising avenue in cancer research.
PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Jianping Ye, Yangxi Hu, Chengming Wang, Hongkai Lian, Zigang Dong
Summary: Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for type 2 diabetes in obese patients. Surgery improves insulin sensitivity by inducing an energy deficit, correcting mitochondrial overload, and leading to diabetes remission.
TRENDS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fernando Notario-Perez, Raul Cazorla-Luna, Araceli Martin-Illana, Joana Galante, Roberto Ruiz-Caro, Bruno Sarmento, Jose das Neves, Maria-Dolores Veiga
Summary: Vaginal films with pH-dependent release of tenofovir were developed for HIV prevention, achieving optimal drug release by adjusting plasticizer combinations and ratios. The films had potential to reach suitable mucosal TFV levels with low systemic exposure, protecting women from HIV transmission.
Article
Microbiology
Lindsay Broadbent, Hong Guo Parke, Lyndsey J. Ferguson, Andrena Millar, Michael D. Shields, Laurent Detalle, Ultan F. Power
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dawood Khan, Ryan Kelsey, Rashmi R. Maheshwari, Virginia M. Stone, Annie Hasib, Fiona N. Manderson Koivula, Aoife Watson, Stephen Harkin, Nigel Irwin, James A. Shaw, Neville H. McClenaghan, Viktoria Venglovecz, Attila Ebert, Malin Flodstrom-Tullberg, Michael G. White, Catriona Kelly
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2019)
Review
Immunology
Hong Guo-Parke, Dermot Linden, Sinead Weldon, Joseph C. Kidney, Clifford C. Taggart
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Dipak Sarnobat, Charlotte R. Moffett, Neil Tanday, Frank Reimann, Fiona M. Gribble, Peter R. Flatt, Andrei I. Tarasov
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Galyna Graham, J. Michael Conlon, R. Charlotte Moffett, Yasser H. Abdel-Wahab, Peter R. Flatt
Summary: The study showed that long-acting, dual-agonist anti-diabetic peptides can induce alpha-cell to beta-cell transdifferentiation, leading to increased pancreatic insulin content and plasma insulin concentrations. This suggests therapeutic potential for using proglucagon-derived peptides from phylogenetical ancient fish in diabetes treatment.
JOURNAL OF PEPTIDE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Wiktoria Ratajczak, Sarah D. Atkinson, Catriona Kelly
Summary: TWEAK, a member of the TNF superfamily, controls various cellular events through different signaling pathways. It has a dual role in protecting healthy tissues and becoming detrimental in chronic inflammatory states. Fn14 and CD163 are the receptors for TWEAK, and the effects of TWEAK vary depending on the receptor it binds to.
REVIEWS IN ENDOCRINE & METABOLIC DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
D. Sarnobat, R. C. Moffett, P. R. Flatt, A. I. Tarasov
Summary: The study showed that metformin and rosiglitazone can help slow down the reduction of beta-cell pool in streptozotocin-induced diabetes, while tolbutamide may exacerbate beta-cell apoptosis but potentially protect beta-cells from chronic hyperglycemia by increasing insulin secretion directly.
JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Prawej Ansari, Peter R. Flatt, Patrick Harriott, J. M. A. Hannan, Yasser H. A. Abdel-Wahab
Summary: The study demonstrated the antidiabetic effects of Acacia arabica bark extract, showing potential as a treatment for diabetes. The isolated phytoconstituents, including quercetin and kaempferol, improved glucose tolerance and insulin secretion, indicating the benefits of using them as antidiabetic agents.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Julie Turbitt, Lorraine Brennan, R. Charlotte Moffett, Peter R. Flatt, Paul R. V. Johnson, Andrei I. Tarasov, Neville H. McClenaghan
Summary: The study found that taurine, alanine, and proline can promote insulin secretion through the regulation of ion transport and inhibition of the sodium-potassium-chloride cotransporter. This action of taurine may have potential value in the treatment of diabetes.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Hong Guo-Parke, Dermot Linden, Sinead Weldon, Joseph C. Kidney, Clifford C. Taggart
Summary: COPD is a chronic lung disorder that affects 10% of the population worldwide and is the third leading cause of death. Respiratory viruses are a primary cause of COPD exacerbations, leading to secondary bacterial infections. COPD patients are more susceptible to viral infections, which can result in severe disease, accelerated lung function deterioration, hospitalization, and increased mortality.
MEDICINA-LITHUANIA
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Respiratory System
Hong Guo-Parke, Aurelie Mousnier, Ultan Power, Sinead Weldon, Lee Borthwick, Andrew Fisher, Clifford Taggart, Joe Kidney
EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY JOURNAL
(2019)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Ryan Kelsey, Fiona N. Manderson Koivula, Neville H. McClenaghan, Catriona Kelly
CLINICAL MEDICINE INSIGHTS-ENDOCRINOLOGY AND DIABETES
(2019)
Review
Respiratory System
Dermot Linden, Hong Guo-Parke, Peter V. Coyle, Derek Fairley, Danny F. McAuley, Clifford C. Taggart, Joe Kidney
EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY REVIEW
(2019)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Vadivel Parthsarathy, Christopher Hogg, Peter R. Flatt, Finbarr P. M. O'Harte
DIABETES OBESITY & METABOLISM
(2018)